'Embrace That Stuff!' Magic Match Physicality in Playoffs vs. Cavaliers

The Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers got physical in Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

Jeremy Brener | Apr 21, 2024

Apr 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) looks to the / David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

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ORLANDO — The Orlando Magic are recovering after their 97-83 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

The intensity of the game picked up in the second quarter when Cavaliers guard Isaac Okoro and Georges Niang picked up technical fouls, while Markelle Fultz picked up a flagrant. Moe Wagner was also seen as an instigator in the physicality, receiving a chorus of boos each time he touched the ball from the second quarter onwards.

Wagner has been known to not shy away from physicality, drawing the third-most charges in the NBA this season behind Golden State Warriors rookie Brandin Podziemski and New York Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson.

"I kind of like it. Embrace that stuff," Wagner said postgame. "I think we've been playing pretty physical basketball all year. So it's nothing special that we got to do. As long as you stay mentally locked in and play possession by possession, I think we put ourselves in a good spot."

Coach Jamahl Mosley also shared the same sentiment and was pleased with how his team handled the situation at-hand.

"I think they handled it very well. I think we continue to talk about how physical it's going to be. And we're okay with that. We did not rattle we did not get frustrated," Mosley said. "We will continue to embrace exactly how physical this game is going to continue to be."

The Magic are back in action tomorrow against the Cavaliers for Game 2. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Related stories on the Orlando Magic

WHAT'S NEXT AFTER MAGIC LOSS?: The Orlando Magic's Game 1 loss has the team down in the series, but panic has yet to ensue. CLICK HERE

GAME 1 RECAP: The Orlando Magic lost Game 1 of the series after their worst shooting performance as a team this season. CLICK HERE

CHIPPY GAME 1: The Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers each got physical during Game 1 of the playoffs. CLICK HERE

MOSE TALKS DEFENSE: Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley praised the Cleveland Cavaliers defense after Game 1. CLICK HERE

DEFENDING DONOVAN: Orlando Magic All-Star Paolo Banchero talked about what the team can do to defend and limit Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell. CLICK HERE

Published Apr 21, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.